Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’

Devanagari script

शौक्रं शुक्रो ऽविशत्स्थानं षोडशारं प्रभास्वरम् बृहस्पतिर्बृहत्त्वं च लोहितं चापि लोहितः //

Transliteration

śaukraṃ śukro 'viśatsthānaṃ ṣoḍaśāraṃ prabhāsvaram bṛhaspatirbṛhattvaṃ ca lohitaṃ cāpi lohitaḥ //

Translation

Śukra (Venus) entered his own station—radiant and possessing sixteen rays. Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) entered the station marked by vastness; and Lohita (Mars) too entered the red station, being himself red.

Word by Word

• śaukram: belonging to Śukra/Venus

• śukraḥ: Śukra (Venus)

• aviśat: entered

• sthānam: station/abode/orbital seat

• ṣoḍaśāram: having sixteen spokes/rays

• prabhāsvaram: shining, radiant

• bṛhaspatiḥ: Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)

• bṛhattvam: greatness, vastness/expansiveness

• ca: and

• lohitam: the red (sphere/region), redness

• ca api: and also/indeed

• lohitaḥ: Lohita (Mars), the red one.

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice transmitting the Matsya Purāṇa’s account; within the broader work often framed as Matsya instructing Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śukra (Venus)
• Bṛhaspati (Jupiter)
• Lohita (Mars)

Tags

• Grahas
• Cosmology
• Astronomy
• Puranic science
• Planetary radiance

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a cosmological mapping of planets to their characteristic “stations” and qualities (radiance, vastness, redness), reflecting ordered cosmic structure rather than dissolution.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders align ritual timing and auspicious activities with planetary qualities—using graha-characteristics to choose proper times and avoid inauspicious influences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse underpins graha-oriented observances (graha-śānti, offerings, auspicious timing). In Vāstu usage, such planetary attributes can inform directional/planetary correspondences employed in temple and ritual-space planning, though no direct building rule is stated in this line.